Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate, both of infectious and non-infectious origin known as prostatitis.

It can be acute if it lasts less than three months, and chronic if it persists for more than three months. Generally, the cause of inflammation is an infection of bacterial origin.

The clinical picture consists of a burning sensation or pain when urinating, blood in urine, fever with chills, hot flushes, need to urinate more frequently than normal, weak flow of urine and difficulty in starting to urinate. It can go alongside pelvic pain in the suprapubic, perineal, lumbosacral, scrotal and penile areas, as well as in the inner side of the thighs.

Diagnosis is made through the clinical history, a physical examination that may include palpation of the prostate through a rectal examination and laboratory testing of blood and urine with their corresponding cultures.

Treatment of prostatitis is with antibiotics, which must be administered for a long time: 4 to 6 weeks for acute prostatitis and up to 12 weeks for chronic prostatitis. To speed up the disappearance of symptoms, non-pharmacological measures such as having hot baths, drinking plenty of fluids, use laxatives and avoid irritants.